Tallahassee| The Legislature’s plan to reduce vehicle-registration fees by $12 per person annually is on a fast-track in the Senate, getting its second unanimous vote during a Thursday hearing.

The fees were raised by $400 million in 2009, when lawmakers were scrambling to find revenue to fill a growing budget deficit. Budget writers this year, though, expect to see an additional $1.2 billion in revenue compared to the current year.

As a result, Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders have agreed to reduce the registration fees, but not by how much.

Senate sponsor Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said the proposal would help both individuals and companies.

“Lots of small businesses have fleets of vehicles they have to register each year,” he told members of a Senate panel Thursday.

Negron’s plan — and an identical version filed in the House — would save drivers roughly $236 million annually, about half the size of Scott’s proposed $400 million annual cut. Under Scott’s plan, the fees would be set back to pre-2009 levels, while Negron proposes rolling back half the increase.

It’s not uncommon for chambers of the Legislature to disagree with each other or the governor’s office on the specific details of issues where they philosophically agree. It’s considered part of the legislative strategy, with each entity using its position as leverage when negotiating budget issues or legislative priorities.

“We can sort that out during the upcoming session,” said Negron, who said he was open to increasing the cuts in his bill.

Scott issued a statement thanking “Senator Joe Negron and members of the committee for this important first step.” Scott’s version of the fee reductions makes up 80 percent of his pledge to cut taxes and fees by $500 million next session. It’s his top legislative priority.

To drum up support for the plan, Scott held a news conference this week at a Tampa auto dealership. It’s part of what is office has branded the “It’s Your Money” tour.

The Senate bill has passed two committee stops with unanimous votes. With spring’s legislative session not set to formally kick-off until March 4, that represents a rapid pace.

The House bill has not yet been scheduled to be heard in committee.

Democrats have expressed support for decreasing the registration fees, but have questioned the size of the cut. Some have suggested that the money could better be spent on education or health care issues.